Nest in hollows of trees or in burrows of other animals, under brush piles, under houses or decks,
in garages, sheds, or attics, as long as it is a dark, cool and quiet place
where the opossum can sleep during the day

Construct rough nests of leaves and grass

DIET:

Omnivore; scavenger; will eat almost anything; diet varies by season

In the wild opossums eat:

Carrion

Insects

Small vertebrates (mice, rats and birds)

Fruits and berries

Vegetables

Larvae that attack gardens

Slugs and snails

Leaf material

Earthworms, cockroaches, beetles and centipedes

Snakes (Rattlesnakes and Cottonmouth); opossums are immune to venom

Ground eggs

Mushrooms

At the Cincinnati Zoo the opossums are fed:

Lite Dog Chow

Meal worms

Crickets

A pinkie mouse (once a week)

At the Zoo, older opossums are limited to (because of their limited exercise):

Lite Dog Chow

Fruits and vegetables

In the winter their diet is increased to increase body bulk.
Opossums at the Zoo remain outdoors during the winter. They burrow under piles of leaves and wood chips
to stay warm. Opossums gain weight at the base of their tail and
in the whites of their eyes. If an opossum is overweight, its eyes
will appear crossed, because the excess whites have pushed the eyes sideways.
Also, overweight opossums may have a very thick tail.